Craving a delicious burger in Korean temples? Experience plant-based perfection from a thousand-year-old Buddhist temple in Korea.
Typically, you won’t expect to find burger at any Buddhist Temple in Korea. Rebirth in the Pure Land Burger Set (23,600 won), Reincarnation Hot Dog (8,800 won), and Paradise Burger (9,800 won) are some of the new additions in the food menus of temples.
The Hwaeomsa Temple Burger initiative – what is it?
Hwaeomsa Temple Burger is a vegan burger joint, a collaborative venture between Hwaeomsa, a thousand-year-old Buddhist temple, and a vegan food company. These unique burgers are flying off the shelves! Hwaeomsa is nestled on the slopes of Jirisan, a mountain in southern South Korea. Last month, they opened a pop-up store at Times Square Mall in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, to introduce their unique twist on fast food.
A temple that serves burgers – that’s certainly something you must try on your trip to Korea. And these burgers are 100% vegan. Each and every ingredient comes from plant, whether it is cheese or the bun. They are made primarily from soy protein and other ingredients. The chefs behind the creation have spent a whole year perfecting the recipe so that it tastes just like a beef burger.
An overwhelming response
“It tastes just like a regular hamburger.”
NewJeansNim, a Buddhist monk character played by comedian and DJ Yoon Sung-ho
So, whether you are a practicing Buddhist or a monk, no one will be breaking their dietary vows. It is a 100% vegetarian burger.
The vegan burger pop-up was a huge hit! The younger generation of locals were quite the fans and it went viral on social media. One customer said, ‘I wasn’t even hungry, but I had to try it out of curiosity.’ Many foreign visitors, including vegetarians for health or religious reasons, also loved the idea. In just 33 days, the pop-up store had over 5,000 visitors.
The feat was so appreciated by all so the Hwaeomsa Temple is opening its first Hwaeomsa Temple Burger branch next month near the entrance to Hwaeomsa Temple in Gurye County, South Jeolla Province.
“Burgers are one of the most widely enjoyed foods among young people globally. We hope to introduce Buddhist philosophy through a familiar and accessible medium.”
Hwaeomsa Temple official
Food is a great way to connect with people, and Hwaeomsa is taking it to the next level with ‘Temple Gimbap.’ They’re working with a frozen food company to create a plant-based, temple-style gimbap. The temple is also planning to release temple-style frozen dumplings, bibimbap, natural gochujang, and beverages.
Hwaeomsa plans to export it to the US, Europe, and Australia, where Korean food is becoming more popular. This is partly because more people are choosing vegan, vegetarian, and healthy foods.
Jogye Order and its own vegan “Spy Burger”
Korea’s biggest Buddhist group, the Jogye Order, has joined the burger game with its own vegan burger called the “Spy Burger.” The name comes from its secret non-meat ingredients that taste just like meat. They launched it last year as a frozen burger in barbecue and squid flavors.
While it is a revenue generating option, the Jogye Order realizes the importance of engaging the younger generation in the temple programs. The order hosted a burger-tasting event for kids at Hwagyesa temple in Northern Seoul.
Their business arm, Doban HC, teamed up with CJ CheilJedang, a big Korean food company, to make temple-style red bean porridge and jang-jorim, a Korean side dish made with lean beef braised in soy sauce and shishito peppers.
While these ventures may appear primarily commercial, these initiatives are improving the public image of Buddhism. It is now becoming “hip” and now seen as cool and easy to understand, just like its new menu.
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